Detroit Zoo Asks Public to Help Name a Baby Gorilla Because Apparently, They’re Bad at Coming Up with Names
The Detroit Zoo has recently announced that they have welcomed a new member to their family – a baby gorilla. In a somewhat desperate plea for help, the zoo is now asking the public to chime in with name suggestions. According to the zoo, they haven’t been able to come up with a name that “fits” the little guy.
Let’s pause for a moment to appreciate this. The Detroit Zoo, a highly respected institution with plenty of expertise in gorilla care, is apparently incapable of coming up with a name. Nevermind the fact that they’ve been able to keep these intelligent and complex animals healthy and happy for years – but when it comes to a name, they need all the help they can get.
But before we start feeling too bad for the zookeepers, let’s take a look at some of the names that have been suggested so far. The zoo has set some guidelines for the name, stating that it should be gender-neutral and reflect the gorilla’s African heritage. Easy enough, right? Apparently not.
Some of the suggestions that have come in include “Banana-rama,” “Gorilla McSqueaky,” and “Gorilla-licious.” No, seriously. These are real suggestions that people have made in the hopes of naming a baby gorilla. I guess in the grand scheme of things, it’s nice to see that people are trying to inject a little humor and fun into the situation.
But let’s not forget that this is still a living, breathing animal that deserves a name that reflects its intelligence and individuality. Maybe instead of relying on the internet for name suggestions (because we all know how well that works out), the zookeepers could take a few moments to observe the gorilla and come up with something that is unique to its personality.
Or, if we’re really grasping at straws here, they could just pick a name out of a hat. Maybe “Josephine” or “Kwame” or “Bongo.” It doesn’t have to be anything earth-shattering, but at least it would give this little guy a sense of identity.
Of course, the zoo has emphasized that they want the public to be involved in the naming process because it helps to “foster a sense of community.” And while that may be true, it seems like a bit of a cop-out. Why not create other ways for people to get involved and learn about gorillas, instead of just asking them to come up with a name?
In any case, we’ll be eagerly awaiting the announcement of the baby gorilla’s name. Who knows, maybe one of those ridiculous suggestions will be picked. After all, the Detroit Zoo is apparently pretty bad at coming up with names. Or maybe they’re just trying to keep the internet entertained. Either way, we’ll be watching.
